Boston Baseball and Beer

Americana is often defined as apple pie and baseball, but don’t overlook the pairing of baseball and beer. And in Boston, it doesn’t get any better than toasting the Red Sox in the World Series with a beer.

America’s favorite pastime and beer grew together with the ongoing expansion of the United States. The origin of baseball is tied to the rules of a game known as “Rounders,” popular in England. It gained popularity in the U.S. known as base, a certain game of ball. The codification of the rules of baseball is often credited to Abner Doubleday in 1839, but there is contention that Alexander Cartwright codified the rules with his New York Knickerbockers, according to History of Baseball. The first recorded game is credited to his team in 1846.

Around that time, beer production in the country was 750,000 barrels, and it grew to 6,600,000 in 1870… around the same time the first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, were paid for playing baseball. According to Baseball and Beer, An Independent Study, baseball and beer were equally fast in spreading across the country. The Red Stockings traveled nearly 12,000 in one season while Milwaukee was producing more beer than its residents could drink. The “Beer and Whisky League” formed in 1882 and allowed for both beer sales and Sunday games. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Beer at Fenway Park

Boston Red Sox fans are thrilled with their team playing in the World Series, but they are less thrilled about buying beer at Fenway Park… or make that, less thrilled about shelling out for it. The most expensive beer in baseball is sold at Fenway, according to SB Nation Over the Monster. Research showed that beer at Fenway is $.60 per ounce. If Red Sox fans should opt to follow the team on the road, they won’t be getting a break at Busch Stadium either. While you might think (based on the name of the ballpark) that beer might be cheaper, fans will pay the second-highest price for beer in big-league baseball, saving only four cents per ounce at Busch Stadium than at Fenway Park.

99 Bottles asserts that Fenway’s beer offerings have come a long since last year when the selection rated as some of the worst in the league. Fans of Boston baseball and beer will certainly want to check out Green Monsta IPA, offered by Wachusett Brewing Company, located in Westminster, MA. At 6% ABV, you could probably drink more than one over the course of a game… if you can afford it – expect to pay $8.50 to $9.00 for a glass of Green Monsta IPA. You can find it on tap at Fenway at State Street Pavilion, Centerfield “Big Concourse,” Right Field Concessions, and Yawkey Way along with other craft beers.

Fenway Park Beer Regulations

Beer sales cease at the end of the 7th inning or two and half hours after the start of the game (earlier at the discretion of the management). You may not bring your own beer (or any alcoholic beverage) into the game. In fact, the only bottles allowed are sealed water bottles, 16 oz. or less.

Fenway’s Code of Conduct includes drinking responsibly, and fans who fail to comply may be ejected from the game and subject to arrest by the Boston Police.

Boston Red Sox fans are rooting for an eighth World Series championship. Yup, Boston baseball and beer definitely go together.